Profile: Captain Fastball's control problems returned last season, and he failed to build on his strong 2010. He was still effective, however, as his 9.71 strikeout rate was the highest of his career. After Francisco Rodriguez was dealt to the Brewers, Parnell even managed to pick up six saves. Unfortunately, there's a new Francisco in town who will be racking up saves for the Mets. With both Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch on the roster, Parnell is now likely third in line to receive save opportunities new season. Even if he does crack triple digits on the gun. (Chris Cwik)

The Quick Opinion: Parnell is now third in line to receive save opportunities on the Mets. If he gets a shot to finish games, he's got some value as a low-end closer.

Profile: For a guy that can hump is fastball over triple digits once he gets a few warmup tosses in, it's sure taken Bobby Parnell a long time to get into high-leverage innings in Queens. His slider is a good pitch, too, so it's not all fastball. And his career walk rate is just a smidge worse than league average, so it's not bad control. So far, he's suffered from high batting averages on balls in play, or lost control of the ball over the course of a single season. When he's avoided doing either of those things (2010 and 2012), he's been very useful for a reliever. And once you look at his career as a whole, neither of those things seem like they are endemic to his stuff. He can show league-average control, and he can give up hits on balls in play at a league average rate. The Mets will start the season with Frank Francisco in the closer's role probably, but if Parnell can repeat his work from last season, the team should end the season with their homegrown fireballer. He is still under team control until 2015, even though it seems like he's been around forever. (Eno Sarris)

The Quick Opinion: Captain Fastball is still with the Mets, and he's still pumping high-velocity fastballs and sliders over the plate in New York. Maybe this is the year he'll finally get the closer role. Maybe.

Profile: Before suffering a herniated disk in his neck, Bobby Parnell was in the midst of vindicating his supporters. Parnell converted 22 saves, while blowing only four, and posting a career best home run rate and pacing his best walk rate. While he may have gotten a bit lucky on balls in play and is yet to fully convert his heat into a gaudy strikeout rate, Parnell does have the look of a serviceable, if not dominant, big league closer. The Mets are optimistic that Parnell will progress to be ready for the start of Spring Training, and thus on pace to be healthy and prepared for Opening Day. As long as his recovery remains on schedule, the closer job for the Mets is his to lose. The lack of name recognition, last year’s injury, and being on a mediocre team could add up to a bargain price for a solid closer in 2014. Keep your eye on Parnell, as he may end up going slightly cheaper than comparable assets. (Derek Ambrosino)

The Quick Opinion: Parnell took his biggest step yet toward realizing his potential in 2014, but his promising campaign was cut short by injury. He looks to be a solid but unspectacular closer and is slated to return as the Mets closer in 2014. Keep an eye on his rehab progress, but if all goes according to schedule, he should be ready for Spring Training and then Opening Day, and could be a bit of a bargain.

Profile: Bobby Parnell might get a late start to 2015 as he returns from Tommy John surgery. The Mets' Jenrry Mejia was solid in the closer role last year, but Terry Collins has already penciled Parnell in once he returns supposedly. If he regains value, he can also turn into a trade candidate being the only Mets reliever at the moment past pre-arbitration eligibility. If Captain Fastball doesn’t return to his 2013 velocity, there probably is not enough value left on his fastball, and how often can he go to the curve and splitter back from TJS? I don’t have confidence in what is basically a two-pitch repertoire a year back from surgery. (Dan Schwartz)

The Quick Opinion: If you have the space on your fantasy rosters for both Parnell and Mejia, you should earn the majority of the Mets’ saves, but Mejia should be the more valuable asset from start to finish in both rate stats and counting stats.

Profile: Injuries may have cost one-time closer Bobby Parnell his career. Over the last two seasons, Parnell suffered a herniated disc and a torn medial collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, and his velocity and performance have dramatically suffered since. Even if a team picks him up, you should avoid him in fantasy unless Captain Fastball starts to touch the mid-90s again. (Scott Spratt)